But the Saturday’s shambles at Newcastle was the final straw and Pellegrino was sacked.

Former Hull City and Watford manager Marco Silva has been heavily linked with the job but is not understood to be in consideration.

Former West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is also keen on returning back to the Premier League but is not high on the immediate shortlist.

Despite grumbles of discontent about Hughes from some Saints fans, club legend Matt Le Tissier insists the former Stoke boss has the experience to turn things around.

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Saints legend Matt Le Tissier reckons Hughes Premier League experience could land him the job

Le Tissier said on talkSPORT: "There are all sorts of managers mentioned, Mark Hughes has a lot of Premier League experience and I think that will count in his favour.

“As far as the situation we are in at the moment, I think it makes sense to go with someone who has Premier League experience - who doesn’t have to get to know a new set of players.

“Marco Silva had a good impact at clubs in the first moment he went there.

“There are lots of names being bandied about, but at the end of the day it’s down to the board to decide who they think is best, not just for these eight games, but I’d like to think they made an appointment that is a little bit more longer term than that.”

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